Review: Textile Museum, San Cristobal de las Casas

So, it may seem weird that according to travel review sites, the No. 1 thing to do in San Cristobal de las Casas is to visit the Textile Museum (or, more accurately, Centro Textiles Mundo Maya). Although not exactly an edge of your seat adventure, the Textile Museum is definitely worth a visit. It is strangely fascinating. The woven fabrics and garments, produced by indigenous groups descended from the Maya from the Chiapas region and Guatemala, are beautiful, of course. But the presentation, the actual building, the kids’ learning center and the staff members really bring it all to life.

When you enter the room that displays the majority of the fabrics, you see the expected mannequins modeling beautiful shawls, huipil, jackets, scarves and more. But if that was it, you’d have about five minutes of exploring. Noticing our confusion, the security guard (himself an expert weaver, quietly working on a new shoulder bag while on duty) motioned to the drawers underneath the display cases. Hundreds of them. And when you pull open each drawer with beautiful fabrics mounted under glass, it triggers a spotlight from above to perfectly illuminate the piece.

Some of the pieces were quite old, average looking and produced to be worn, not displayed (as evidenced by the food stains). Others belonged to Shamans and important members of the community. The more recent pieces were made to be displayed, in recognition of their cultural and artistic significance, and were pristine and ornate.

The museum is housed in what used to be the Santo Domingo convent, recently restored and renovated. It is also surrounded by an outdoor market featuring pieces similar to those on display in the museum.

Textile Museum

Av 20 de Noviembre, Barrio del Cerrillo

29200 San Cristobal de las Casas, Chis.

52 967 631 3094